The Outposting Method of Community Services: A Multistaged Field Experience

Abstract

Outposting is an interorganizational method of service delivery that requires an exchange relationship between an initiating agency and a host setting, for the benefit of third-party clients. This paper reports its experimental adoption as a graduate field training modality at a school of social work. Consideration is given to the contractual relationships among the parties, and to the learning objectives and outcomes. It focuses on problems of dual agency orientation and the integration of outposting with outreach and multiple advocacy. It confirms that outposting is a flexible service modality most appropriate in times of turbulence and social change.